Method and system for providing an intelligent switch in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the invention provide a system and method for communicating in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network. A method for communicating in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network may include sending a first messaging protocol message between a first switch and a first access point. In response to the first messaging protocol message, receiving at least a second messaging protocol message from the first access point and/or the first switch. One or more of the first and second messaging protocol messages and/or a third messaging protocol message may be used to control one or more of the first switch, a second switch, a first access point, a second access point, and one or more access devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application makes reference to, claims priority to andclaims the benefit of: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.60/433,131 entitled “Method and System for Providing a Wireless AccessPoint (WAP) having Integrated Switching Capability in a HybridWired/Wireless Network” filed on Dec. 13, 2002; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/411,261 entitled “Communications SystemsSoftware and Protocols” filed on Sep. 17, 2002; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/411,301 entitled “Method and System forProviding a Scalable Integrated Switch and Wireless Architecture” filedon Sep. 17, 2002; and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/435,984entitled “Communication System and Method in a Wireless Local AreaNetwork” filed on Dec. 20, 2002.

[0002] The above stated applications are all incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Embodiments of the present application relate generally to localarea networks, and more particularly to a switching system and method ina hybrid wired/wireless local area network (WLAN).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model promulgated by theInternational standards organization (ISO) was developed to establishstandardization for linking heterogeneous computer and communicationsystems. The OSI model describes the flow of information from a softwareapplication of a first computer system to a software application of asecond computer system through a network medium. FIG. 1a is a blockdiagram 100 of the OSI model. Referring to FIG. 1a, the OSI model hasseven distinct functional layers including layer 7, an application layer114; layer 6, a presentation layer 112; layer 5, a session layer 110;layer 4, a transport layer 108, layer 3, a network layer 106; layer 2: adata link layer 104; and layer 1, a physical layer 102. The physicallayer 102 may further include a physical layer convergence procedure(PLCP) sublayer 102 b and a physical media dependent sublayer 102 a. Thedata link layer 104 may also include a Medium access control (MAC) layer104 a.

[0005] In general, each OSI layer describes certain tasks which arenecessary for facilitating the transfer of information throughinterfacing layers and ultimately through the network. Notwithstanding,the OSI model does not describe any particular implementation of thevarious layers. OSI layers 1 to 4 generally handle network control anddata transmission and reception, generally referred to as end-to-endnetwork services. Layers 5 to 7 handle application issues, generallyreferred to as application services. Specific functions of each layermay vary depending on factors such as protocol and/or interfacerequirements or specifications that are necessary for implementation ofa particular layer. For example, the Ethernet protocol may providecollision detection and carrier sensing in the physical layer. Layer 1,the physical layer 102, is responsible for handling all electrical,optical, opto-electrical and mechanical requirements for interfacing tothe communication media. Notably, the physical layer 102 may facilitatethe transfer of electrical signals representing an informationbitstream. The physical layer 102 may also provide services such as,encoding, decoding, synchronization, clock data recovery, andtransmission and reception of bit streams.

[0006] The PLCP layer 102 b may be configured to adapt and map servicesprovided by the physical layer 102 to the functions provided by thedevice specific PMD sublayer 102 a. Specifically, the PLCP layer 102 bmay be adapted to map PHY sublayer service data units (PDSUs) into asuitable packet and/or framing format necessary for providingcommunication services between two or more entities communicating viathe physical medium. The PMD layer 102 a specifies the actualmethodology and/or protocols which may be used for receiving andtransmitting via the physical medium. The MAC sublayer 104 a may beadapted to provide, for example, any necessary drivers which may beutilized to access the functions and services provided by the PLCPsublayer 102 b. Accordingly, higher layer services may be adapted toutilize the services provided by the MAC sublayer 104 a with little orno dependence on the PMD sublayer 102 a.

[0007] 802.11 is a suite of specifications promulgated by the Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which providecommunication standards for the MAC and physical (PHY) layer of the OSImodel. The 801.11 standard also provides communication standards forwired and wireless local area networks (WLANs). More specifically, the802.11 standard specifies five (5) types of physical layers for WLANs.These include, frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), direct sequencespread spectrum (DSSS), infrared (IR) communication, high rate directsequence spread spectrum spread spectrum (HR-DSS) and orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The 802.11 standard alsoprovides a PLCP frame format for each of the specified PHY layers.

[0008] Over the past decade, demands for higher data rates to supportapplications such as streaming audio and streaming video, have seenEthernet speeds being increased from about 1-2 megabit per second(Mbps), to 10 Mbps, to 100 Mbps, to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to 10Gbps. Currently, there are a number of standards in the suite ofspecifications, namely 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g which have beenadapted to facilitate the demands for increased data rates. The 802.11gstandard for example, provides a maximum data rate of about 54 Mbps at atransmitter/receiver range of 19 meters (m) in a frequency range of 2.4GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The 802.11b standard for example, may be adapted toprovide a maximum data rate of about 11 Mbps at a transmitter/receiverrange of 57 meters (m) in a frequency range of 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz.Finally, the 802.11a standard for example, provides a maximum data rateof about 54 Mbps at a transmitter/receiver range of 12 meters (m) in a300 MHz segmented bandwidth ranging from 5.150 GHz to 5.350 GHz and from5.725 GHz to 5.825 GHz.

[0009] The 802.11 standard forms the basis of the other standards in thesuite of specifications, and the 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g standardsprovide various enhancements and new features to their predecessorstandards. Notwithstanding, there are certain elementary building blocksthat are common to all the standards in the suite of specifications. Forexample, all the standards in the suite of specifications utilize theEthernet protocol and utilize carrier sense multiple access withcollision avoidance (CSMA/CA).

[0010] CSMA/CA utilizes a simple negotiation scheme to permit access toa communication medium. If a transmitting entity wishes to transmitinformation to a receiving entity, the transmitting entity may sense thecommunication medium for communication traffic. In a case where thecommunication medium is busy, the transmitting entity may desist frommaking a transmission and attempt transmission at a subsequent time. Ina case where the communication transmission is not busy, then thetransmitting entity may send information over the communication medium.Notwithstanding, there may be a case where two or more transmissionentities sense that the communication medium is not busy and attempttransmission at the same instant. To avoid collisions andretransmissions, a CSMA/OA or ready to send (RTS) and clear to send(CTS) messaging scheme may be employed, for example. Accordingly,whenever a transmitting device senses that the communication medium isnot busy, then the transmitting device may send a ready to send messageto one or more receiving device. Subsequent to the receipt of the readyto send message, the receiving device may send a clear to send message.Upon receipt of the clear to send message by the transmitting device,the transmitting device may initiate transfer of data to the receivingdevice. Upon receiving packets or frames from the transmitting device,the receiving device may acknowledge the received frames.

[0011] The 802.11b standard, commonly called Wi-Fi, which representswireless fidelity, is backward compatible with its predecessor standard802.11. Although 802.11 utilizes one of two modulation formats includingdirect sequence spread spectrum (DSS) using differential binary phaseshift keying and frequency hopping spread spectrum (11-bit Barkersequence), 802.11b utilizes a higher data rate form of DSS calledcomplementary code keying (CCK). CCK permits higher data rate andparticularly less susceptible to interference effects such asmultipath-propagation interference, the PSK.

[0012] 802.11a utilizes orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing(OFDM) modulation/encoding scheme, which provides a maximum data rate 54Mbps. Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing is a digital modulationtechnique which splits a signal into several narrowband channels, witheach channel having a different frequency. Each narrowband channel isarranged so as to minimize the effects of crosstalk between the channelsand symbols in the data stream.

[0013] Since equipment designed to provide support for 802.11a operatesat frequencies in the ranges 5.150 GHz to 5.350 GHz and from 5.725 GHzto 5.825 GHz, 802.11a equipment will not interoperate with equipmentdesigned to operate with the 802.11b standard which defines operation inthe 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz frequency band. One major drawback is thatcompanies that have invested in 802.11b equipment and infrastructure maynot readily upgrade their network without significant expenditure.

[0014] The 802.11g standard was developed as an extension to 802.11bstandard. The 802.11g standard may utilize a similar OFDM modulationscheme as the 802.11a standard and delivers speeds comparable with the802.11a standard. Since 802.11g compatible equipment operates in thesame portion of the electromagnetic spectrum as 802.11b compatibleequipment, 802.11g is backwards compatible with existing 802.11b WLANinfrastructures. Due to backward compatibility of 802.11g with 802.11b,it would be desirable to have an 802.11b compliant radio card capable ofinterfacing directly with an 802.11g compliant access point and also an802.11g compliant radio card capable of interfacing directly with an802.11b compliant access point.

[0015] Furthermore although 802.11g compatible equipment operates in the2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz frequency range, a typical transmitted signalutilizes a bandwidth of approximately 22 MHz, about a third or 30% ofthe total allocated bandwidth. This limits the number of non-overlappingchannels utilized by an 802.11g access point to three (3). A similarscenario exists with 802.11b. Accordingly, many of the channelassignment and frequency reuse schemes associated with the 802.11bstandard may be inherent in the 802.11g.

[0016] RF interference may pose additional operational problems with802.11b and 802.11g equipment designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz portionof the electromagnetic spectrum. The 2.4 GHz portion of the spectrum isan unlicensed region which has been utilized for some time and iscrowded with potential interfering devices. Some of these devicesinclude cordless telephone, microwave ovens, intercom systems and babymonitors. Other potential interfering devices may be Bluetooth devices.Accordingly, interference poses interference problems with the 802.11band 802.11g standards.

[0017] 802.11a compatible equipment utilizes eight non-overlappingchannels, as compared to three non-overlapping channels utilized by802.11b. Accordingly, 802.11a access points may be deployed in a moredense manner than, for example 802.11b compatible equipment. Forexample, up to twelve access points each having a different assignedfrequency may be deployed in a given area without causing co-channelinterference. Consequently, 802.11a may be particularly useful inovercoming some of the problems associated with channel assignment,especially in areas that may have a dense user population and whereincreased throughput may be critical. Notwithstanding, the higheroperating frequency of 802.11a causes more attenuation resulting in ashorter operating range at a given data rate. This may significantlyincrease deployment cost since a larger number of access points arerequired to service a given service area.

[0018] In hybrid wired/wireless network systems that may utilize one ormore protocols in the 802.11 suite of protocols, the mobility of accessdevices throughout the network may pose additional challenges forconventional switches and switching equipment. Since access devices arecontinuously changing their point of access to the network, conventionalswitches may not have the capability to control other network devicesand/or entities to provide seamless communication throughout thenetwork. Moreover, particularly in systems that may handle large volumesof access device traffic, conventional switching and signaling mayconsume significant amounts of bandwidth that may reduce availablebandwidth and effectively reduce system throughput.

[0019] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional andtraditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the presentinvention as set forth in the remainder of the present application withreference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVETNION

[0020] Aspects of the invention provide a system and method forcommunicating in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network. A methodfor communicating in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network mayinclude sending a first messaging protocol message between a firstswitch and a first access point. In response to the first messagingprotocol message, receiving at least a second messaging protocol messagefrom the first access point and/or the first switch. One or more of thefirst and second messaging protocol message and/or a third messagingprotocol message may be used to control one or more of the first switch,a second switch, a first access point, a second access point, and one ormore access devices.

[0021] The first messaging protocol message may be generated by thefirst switch. The second messaging protocol message may be generated bythe second switch in response to the generation of the first messagingprotocol message. The first, second and/or third messaging protocolmessage may be, for example, (1) an access point status message, whichmay be communicated between the first access point and the second accesspoint; (2) an access point configuration message, which may becommunicated from the first switch and/or the second switch, to thefirst access point and/or the second access point; (3) a switch statusmessage, which may be communicated between the first switch and thesecond switch; (4) a switch configuration message, which may becommunicated between the first switch and the second switch; (5) aclient status message, which may be communicated from the first accesspoint and/or the second access point to the first switch and/or thesecond switch; (6) a device discovery message, which may be communicatedbetween the first switch and the second switch, between the first switchand at least one of the first access point and the second access point,and between the first access point and at least one of the second accesspoint and one or more of the access devices; and/or (7) a switch statusmessage, which may be communicated between the first switch and thesecond switch.

[0022] Another embodiment of the invention may provide amachine-readable storage, having stored thereon a computer programhaving at least one code section for providing communication for aswitch in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network, the at least onecode section executable by a machine for causing the machine to performthe steps described above.

[0023] Another embodiment of the invention may provide a system forcommunicating in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network. The systemmay include a switch having a transmitter, which may be adapted to senda first messaging protocol message between a first switch and a firstaccess point. The switch may include a receiver which may be adapted toreceive a second messaging protocol message from the first access pointand/or the first switch. The receiver may be adapted to receive a secondmessage, which may be responsive to the transmittal of the firstmessaging protocol message. A controller may be adapted to control oneor more devices using the first messaging protocol message, secondmessaging protocol message and/or third messaging protocol message.These devices controlled by the controller may include, but are notlimited to, the first switch, a second switch, the first access point,the second access point, and one or more access devices.

[0024] The generator may be adapted to generate the first messagingprotocol message from the first switch and the receiver may be adaptedto receive the second messaging protocol message from the second switch.The processor may be configured to control the transmitter, thereceiver, the controller and the generator. The processor may utilizeone or more messaging protocol messages to control any one or more ofthe transmitter, receiver, generator, QoS controller, load balancingcontroller, session controller and/or network management controller.

[0025] The first messaging protocol message and the third messagingprotocol message generated by the switch may be, for example, (1) anaccess point status message, which may be communicated between the firstaccess point and the second access point; (2) an access pointconfiguration message, which may be communicated from the first switchand/or the second switch, to the first access point and/or the secondaccess point; (3) a switch status message, which may be communicatedbetween the first switch and the second switch; (4) a switchconfiguration message, which may be communicated between the firstswitch and the second switch; (5) a client status message, which may becommunicated from the first access point and/or the second access pointto the first switch and/or the second switch; (6) a device discoverymessage, which may be communicated between the first switch and thesecond switch, between the first switch and at least one of the firstaccess point and the second access point, and between the first accesspoint and at least one of the second access point and one or more of theaccess devices; and/or (7) a switch status message, which may becommunicated between the first switch and the second switch.

[0026] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of thepresent invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodimentthereof, will be more fully understood from the following descriptionand drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1a is a block diagram of the OSI model.

[0028]FIG. 1b is a block diagram illustrating a general PLCP frame asdefined by 802.11.

[0029]FIG. 1c is a block diagram illustrating a PLCP frame utilized byfrequency hopping spread spectrum as defined by 802.11.

[0030]FIG. 1d is a block diagram illustrating a PLCP frame for directsequence spread spectrum and high rate direct sequence spread spectrumas defined by 802.11.

[0031]FIG. 1e is a block diagram illustrating a PLCP frame fororthogonal frequency division multiplexing as defined by 802.11.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for networkmanagement in a wireless local area network in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary Enterprise Wireless LANhaving switches serving as the edge managers in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

[0034]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary exchange sequence between a switchand an access point on a status request on the access point using themessage protocol in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

[0035]FIG. 5 illustrates a switch filter transfer using the messagingprotocol in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0036]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary message exchange between a switchand an access point using a messaging protocol in accordance with anaspect of the invention.

[0037]FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an exemplary messageexchange for locating a wired client device using the messaging protocolin accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary switching system fornetwork management in a wireless local area network.

[0039]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary session control processas described in FIG. 8 that may be utilized by the switching system fornetwork management in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0040]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an exemplary load balancing processas described in FIG. 8 that may be utilized by the switching system fornetwork management in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0041]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary QoS enabling process asdescribed in FIG. 8 that may be utilized by an the switching system fornetwork management in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0042]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an exemplary switch in accordancewith an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Aspects of the invention provide a system and method forcommunicating in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network. A methodfor communicating in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network mayinclude sending a first messaging protocol message between a firstswitch and a first access point. In response to the first messagingprotocol message, receiving at least a second messaging protocol messagefrom the first access point and/or the first switch. One or more of thefirst and second messaging protocol message and/or a third messagingprotocol message may be used to control one or more of the first switch,a second switch, a first access point, a second access point, and one ormore access devices.

[0044]FIG. 1b is a block diagram 120 illustrating a general PLCP frameas defined by 802.11. Referring to FIG. 1b, there is shown preamble 122,PLCP header 124, MAC data 126, and CRC 128. Preamble 122 may includesynchronization (SYNC) data 122 a and synchronization delimiter 122 b.The PLCP header 124 may include, for example PLCP signal field (PSF) 124a, service data 124 b, length 124 c and other fields. The preamble 122may be dependent on the PHY. The SYNC data 122 a may include a uniquebit stream that may be adapted to signal timing parameters such as thestart of a frame. The SYNC data 122 a is used for bit synchronizationand demodulation. The SYNC delimiter 122 b provides frame timinginformation and may be adapted to delimit the end of synchronizationinformation. The PLCP header 124 may be adapted to contain informationused for decoding the frame. For example, the PSF 124 a may be adaptedto include communication data rate information. The service data 124 bis generally reserved, but may be utilized to provide applicationspecific functionality. The length 124 c may be adapted to indicate thelength of the MAC data 126. In this regard, the length 124 c may beexpressed in terms of the time required to transmit the MAC data 126.

[0045]FIG. 1c is a block diagram 130 illustrating a PLCP frame utilizedby frequency hopping spread spectrum as defined by 802.11. Referring toFIG. 1c, there is shown a SYNC data 132, PLCP header 134 and PSDU 136.The PLCP header 134 may include, for example, PSDU length word (PLW) 134a, PLCP signaling field (PSF) 134 b, header error check field or CRC 134c and other fields. The PLW 134 a may specify the number of octetscontained in the PSDU 136. The PSF 134 be may be 4-bits in length andmay be used to denote the communication data rate.

[0046]FIG. 1d is a block diagram 140 illustrating a PLCP frame fordirect sequence spread spectrum and high rate direct sequence spreadspectrum (HR-DSS) as defined by 802.11. Referring to FIG. 1d, there isshown preamble 142, PLCP header 144 and MPDU 146. Preamble 142 mayinclude synchronization (SYNC) data 142 a and synchronization delimiter142 b. The PLCP header 144 may include PLCP signal field (PSF) 144 a,service data 144 b, length 144 c, and CRC field 144 d. The SYNC data 142a may be 128 bits as compared to 8 bits for SYNC data 132 a forfrequency hopping spread spectrum. The CRC 144 d is 16 bits, which issimilar to CRC 134 c for frequency hopping spread spectrum.

[0047]FIG. 1e is a block diagram 150 illustrating a PLCP frame fororthogonal frequency division multiplexing as defined by 802.11.Referring to FIG. 1e, there is shown preamble 152, PLCP header 154 andPSDU 156, tail 158 and pad 160. Preamble 152 may include synchronization(SYNC) data 152 a and synchronization delimiter 152 b. The PLCP header154 may include length 154 a, PLCP signal field (PSF) 154 b, reservedfield 154 c, parity 154 d, tail 154 e and service 154 f. The length 154a is a 12-bit field that may be adapted to indicate the length of theframe. The PSF 154 b is a 4-bit field that may indicate a modulationscheme utilized and its associated coding rate of the PSDU. For example,the specification utilizes binary 1011 to represent 6 Mbps, 1111 torepresent 9 Mbps, 1010 to represent 12 Mbps, 1110 to represent 18 Mbps,1001 to represent 24 Mbps, 1011 to represent 36 Mbps, 1000 to represent48 Mbps and finally, 1100 to represent the maximum standardized rate if54 Mbps. The reserved field 154 c is a 1 bit field that is reserved forfuture use and may be adapted for application specific use. The parityfield 154 d may indicate odd or even parity. The tail field 154 e is a6-bit field. The service field 154 f is a 16-bit field that may beadapted to indicate the type of service.

[0048] In a typical wireless local area network, especially as accessdevices become mobile throughout the network, channel capacity may berapidly time varying. For example, when the distance from an accessdevice to an access point increases or decreases due to mobility, thechannel capacity and ultimately the channel throughput may change withtime. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a switch isprovided to facilitate communication between one or more of a pluralityof access devices and/or access points, and/or other switches. Theswitch may utilize a messaging protocol, which may be adapted toprovide, for example, switch filter transfer, bandwidth management,session control and management, load balancing and/or QoS control andmanagement.

[0049] In, for example, a hybrid wired/wireless in which bandwidth my berapidly changing over time due to access device mobility, a switch, inaccordance with an aspect of the invention, may be adapted to performbandwidth management for a wired and/or a wireless portion of thenetwork. The bandwidth management may include, but is not limited to,performing one or more tasks including, but not limited to, implementingpolicies, tracking bandwidth usage and adapting bandwidth allocation tomeet user demands and system capability. The management of these tasksmay pertain to providing mobility and operability throughout a hybridwired/wireless communications network.

[0050]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for networkmanagement in a wireless local area network in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated afirst networking domain 214 and a second networking domain 234. Thefirst networking domain 214 may include a switch 202, and access points204, 206, 208, 210, 212. Each of access points 204, 206, 208, 210, 212may be coupled to the switch 202. The second networking domain 234 mayinclude a switch 222, and access points 224, 226, 228, 230, 232. Each ofaccess points 224, 226, 208, 230, 232 may be coupled to the switch 222.Switch 222 may be coupled to switch 202 through any one or more of awired and a wireless medium. Although not shown, at least some of theaccess points in any one of the networking domains 214, 234 may becoupled to each other. Notwithstanding, a plurality of actual and/orvirtual channels may be provided to facilitate communication with theaccess points and switches. Although the networking domains 214 and 234are illustrated as separate networking entities, the invention is not solimited. Accordingly, the networking domain 214, 234 may be part of asingle networking entity, but may represent separate security domainswithin the single networking entity.

[0051] In operation, any one or more of the switches 202, 222 may beadapted to send network management related information and parameters toany one or more of the access points in any one or more of thenetworking domains 214, 234. In one embodiment of the invention, forexample, switch 202 may be adapted to communicate bandwidth informationto access point 206. Similarly, switch 202 may be adapted to sendnetwork management related information to any one or more of accesspoints 204, 208, 210, 214. Similarly, switch 222 may be adapted tocommunicate network management related information to any one or more ofaccess points 224, 226, 228, 230, 232.

[0052] In another aspect of the invention, the switches 202, 222 may beadapted to provide, for example, certain QoS management activities tothe access points using for example a messaging protocol. Accordingly,some activities such as bandwidth policing, bandwidth management, loadbalancing, roaming and handover may be handled by coordinating one ormore switches and one or more access points utilizing, for example, themessaging protocol. Notwithstanding, a switch for example, switch 222,may be configured to establish rules that may be adapted by the accesspoints 224, 226, 228, 230, 232 in carrying out these activities. Therules may be propagated from the switches 222, 202 to the access points204, 208, 210, 214, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232 using, for example, themessaging protocol. Prioritization and processing, for example, may bebased on acceptable levels of latency and bandwidth availability. Forexample, an IP telephone call may be assigned highest queuing andprocessing priority in order to minimize latency. Policing, for example,may include tasks which may limit and control the usage of availablebandwidth by a particular access device or a type of access device. Inaccordance with the invention, these and other tasks may be controlledby the switch using the messaging protocol.

[0053] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the switch mayutilize the messaging protocol (MP) to provide enhanced communicationservices to one or more of a plurality of access devices or mobilestations in, for example, an enterprise Wireless LAN (WLAN). Theenhanced communication, in addition to ordinary WLAN devicecommunication such as authentication, authorization, key exchanges,beacon broadcast, etc., may provide additional features not provided bya WLAN to its clients. These additional features may include, but arenot limited to, access control, load balancing, network management andquality of service. In addition to switches, other enterprise WLANdevices that may utilize messaging protocol message transactions mayinclude but are not limited to, wireless access points, enterpriseswitches and wireless stations. These devices may be MP enabled incertain instances.

[0054] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an exemplary WLANArchitecture may be provided. In the enterprise Wireless LANenvironment, the wireless devices may be located at the edge of thenetwork. The wireless devices may be connected or coupled to theenterprise network via the one or more access points, which in turn maybe the edge devices of, for example, a wired LAN. The access points maybe connected to the LAN via switches. These switches, which may becalled Wireless LAN Switches, in certain instances, do not only performLayer 2 switching, but may be adapted to function as a wireless edgemanager. They may also provide additional functionalities such as accesscontrol, firewall functions, traffic privacy and quality of service(QoS), network management, and load balancing.

[0055]FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 of an exemplary Enterprise WirelessLAN having switches serving as the edge managers in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown, alocal area network (LAN) 302, authentication server 304, switches 306,308, access points (APs) 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 and access devices322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338. It should be recognizedthat the invention is not limited to and Enterprise WLAN. The inventionmay be applicable to a wired LAN, a wireless LAN and any combinationthereof.

[0056] Wireless transmission or communication between the access devicesor clients, and the access points may be secure. This may be also betrue for the wired connections between any of the access points 310,312, 314, 316, 318, 320 and the switches 306, 308. The switches 306, 308and access points 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 may be adapted tocommunicate using, for example, an Ethernet protocol. From the switch'sperspective, the switch may be switching regular layer 2 frames.However, within the switch, knowledge of a WLAN and its managementintelligence may reside primarily in software. Notwithstanding, theinvention is not limited in this regard.

[0057] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the switch may beadapted to utilize a messaging protocol, which may utilize one or moreprotocols associated with a device communication protocol (DCP) umbrella(DCPU). The messaging protocol utilized by the switch may be adapted torun over the transmission control protocol (TCP) or user datagramprotocol (UDP) using for example, a well-known port number specifiedunder the framework of the device communication protocol. Under the DCPumbrella, there may be several sub-protocols defined for the purpose offacilitating interoperability with other products. Some of theseproducts may include but are not limited to, cable modems and cablemodem termination systems (CMTS) equipment. The messaging protocolutilized by the switch may be adapted to include the necessary protocolsunder DCP to facilitate communication for wired and/or WLAN devices.

[0058] DCP is a Layer 5 protocol. It may be adapted to use a defaultTCP/UDP port of for, example, 3188, which is a registered IETF portassignment. A DCP header, starting from the TCP/UDP payload, may have a6-byte header as follows: RCM_ RCM_MAGIC_NUMBER SubProtocol Sub_ProtocolSpecifics octets 0-3 (=0x4252434d, octets 4-5 Variant # octets or “RCM”)

[0059] The RCM_SubProtocol field may indicate an officially registeredsub-protocol for other devices. Exemplary valid values may beillustrated in the following table: RCM SubProtocol Description 0x0000Reserved 0x0001 Propane Control Protocol (PCP) 0x0002 Inter-CMTSCommunications Protocol (ICCP) 0x0003 imPulse Mitigation SignalingProtocol (PMSP) 0x0004 Loadbox Signaling Protocol (LBSP) 0x0005 PropaneTesting Protocol (PTP) 0xFFFE Reserved 0xEFFE Reserved

[0060] The message protocol may be adapted to register for a nextavailable value for the RCM_SubProtocol. Message protocol specificinformation may be adapted to start at the 6^(th) octet in the DCPpacket, although the invention is not limited in this regard.

[0061] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the switch mayutilize the messaging protocol to facilitate communication betweenvarious wireless networking devices and/or clients. In an embodiment ofthe invention, one or more of WLAN switches 306, 308 may be adapted toutilize the messaging protocol to facilitate communication with one ormore of the access points 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320. Informationexchanged between these two devices may include, but is not limited to,control, configuration and status information of the devices and alsoclient session information. The control information may include, forexample, signaling information that may be communicated in-band orout-of-band. Such information may be exchanged in order to enable in theWLAN, one or more of the six features mentioned above.

[0062] The switch may utilize the messaging protocol, which may includea plurality of message types. In accordance with an aspect of theinvention, the switch may utilize a messaging protocol that may include,for example, six (6) categories of messages or message types.Notwithstanding, the invention is not so limited. These messages andtheir usage may be illustrated as follows:

[0063] AP_Status: from AP to Switch or AP

[0064] An AP_Status message may be used to indicate, for example, anaccess point capacity, bandwidth allocation, the number of attachedclients, signal strength, power levels, etc.

[0065] AP_Config: from Switch to AP

[0066] An AP_Config message may be used to configure an access point toaccommodate a client. This may include but is not limited to, 802.11eQoS, security information, etc.

[0067] Switch_Status: from Switch to Switch

[0068] A Switch_Status message may be used to indicate a switch'sassociation with one or more clients. This may include but is notlimited to, client session information, access control, QoS parameters,etc.

[0069] Switch_Config: from Switch to Switch

[0070] A Switch_Config message may be used to configure a switch such asa WLAN Switch to accommodate a client. The may include but is notlimited to, access control, QoS configuration, etc.

[0071] Client_Status: from AP to Switch

[0072] A Client_Status message may be used to indicate a client'sinformation. This may include but is not limited to, clientidentification, associated MAC address, session status, connectinglocation, etc.

[0073] Device_Discovery: any device to any device

[0074] In a client-server model of network services, theDevice_Discovery message may be used by a switch and/or a server todiscover clients or by client to discover servers. The message may bebroadcast to some or all devices in the subnet to draw responses fromthe intended devices.

[0075] In each of the message types above, the message may include, forexample four (4) message subtypes—.request, .data, alert, and .ack. Amessage type/subtype pair of request and data may represent the requestof data and a corresponding response of data itself. The subtype pair ofalert and .ack may represent the voluntary transmission of data and itsacknowledgement. Additionally, there may be two conventions utilized ina message exchange sequence. Accordingly, if a message exchange sequencestarts with a request (.req), it may be followed by a reactivetransmission of data (.data). Similarly, if a message exchange sequencestarts with a proactive transmission of data (.alert), it is followed byan acknowledgement (.ack).

[0076] Since the messaging protocol utilized by the switch may be asub-protocol of DCP, a messaging protocol message may have 6 octets atthe front of the TCP/UDP Payload identifying it as a DCP packet.Starting from Octet 6 (0-based), at the beginning of a DCP payload, or amessaging protocol message, 3 octets may be reserved to indicate themessage type of a messaging protocol message. In accordance with anaspect of the invention, the switch and one or more access points mayinclude a filtering engine that may be adapted to filter certain typesof messaging protocol messages by examining the three octets of amessaging protocol message. In this regard, a messaging protocol messageidentification system may be implemented for used by one or moreswitches and/or one or more access points.

[0077] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, in a case where amessaging protocol (MP) message may be registered with a DCPsub-protocol value of, for example 0x0006, a typical messaging protocolmessage, as a continuation after the DCP header, may be as follows.Again, the beginning of the DCP header is the first byte of the TCP orUDP payload. RCM_MAGIC_(—) RCM_(—) MP Message MP Message NUMBERSubProtocol Identifier Payload (octets 0-3) (octets 4-5) (octets 6-8)(variant # bytes) 0x4252434d (“ROM”) 0x0006 — —

[0078] The messaging protocol Message Identifier may specify a type ofmessaging protocol messages as addressed above. The messaging protocolmessage types may be enumerated in the following table. value in firsttwo octets Message Type of Message Identifier AP Status 0x0001 AP Config0x0002 Switch Status 0x0003 Switch Config 0x0004 Client Status 0x0005Device Discovery 0x0006

[0079] The 3^(rd) byte of the messaging protocol message identifier mayidentify a sub-type of the messaging protocol Message. As addressedabove, a messaging protocol message may be a data requisition, a dataresponse, a data alert or an acknowledgement. The assigned values aregiven in the following table. value in third octet Message Sub-type ofMessage Identifier data request (.req) 0x01 data response (.data) 0x02data alert (.alert) 0x03 acknowledgement (.ack) 0x04

[0080] The messaging protocol message payload may be ASCII-based,similar to other IETF protocols such as, real-time streaming protocol(RTSP), hyper-text transport protocol (HTTP), session initiationprotocol (SIP), etc. With an ASCII-based protocol, the parameters to beexchanged between devices may be formatted as follows:

[0081] <field{.subfield}>: <field value>

[0082] It should be recognized that the invention is not limited to thearrangement of the parameters as shown. Notwithstanding, a messagingprotocol message in ASCII format may be recognized by inspection.Notably, the messaging protocol message format provides flexibility, inthat future revision may be possible by adding new fields.

[0083] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/607,094 entitled“Communication System and Method in a Hybrid Wired/Wireless Local AreaNetwork” filed on Jun. 26, 2003, discloses a messaging protocol that maybe utilized by the switch in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Exemplary valid fields and subfields for various messaging protocolmessages that may be utilized by the switch are disclosed therein.

[0084] In another aspect of the invention, the switch may utilize themessaging protocol to provide additional enhancements to 802.11-basednetworks beyond those which may be described in the 802.11 standards.These enhancements may occur in exemplary areas such as the detection ofrogue network elements. In this regard, upon detecting signal comingfrom a new access point, a messaging protocol enabled access point maybe adapted to send, for example, a Request.ID message to the new accesspoint. The new access point may be adapted to respond with anappropriate network password. If an appropriate network password isreceived, then the access point may be considered part of the network.Otherwise, an alarm may be sent to a network management entity notifyingof the existence of an unidentified access point. The network managemententity may be a switch or an access point, although the invention is notlimited in this regard. This mechanism may be particularly effective inan isolated domain where there may be minimal or no overlapping coveragefrom legitimate access points. The messaging protocol may further beused to facilitate the distribution of client access rules betweenswitches during roaming. A switch may be adapted to utilize this featureto facilitate seamless roaming between access points connected todifferent switches or on different network domains.

[0085] In another embodiment of the invention, the switch may include anetwork management controller that may be configured for networkmanagement. In this regard, the switch may be adapted to utilize, forexample, the messaging protocol to transfer networking monitoring and/orstatus messages such as SNMP and RMON statistics from an old attachmentor connection point to a new connection point. In this regard, theswitch may be configured to use the messaging protocol to enablelocation-specific management of at least certain clients and/or networkdevices. In this regard, the switch may send client associationinformation to a central management entity which may be aware of thelocation of the various access points and/or switches in the network.This information may be disseminated to a QOS controller and/or a loadbalancing controller. Accordingly, a decision may subsequently be madeto determine whether to allow or disallow access from certain locationsin order to balance a load within the network and/or provide a specifiedQoS.

[0086] For example, information pertaining to at least some detectedclients may be transferred to the switch. Accordingly, a load balancingmanager and/or controller located in the switch may use this informationto achieve efficient load balancing. In this regard, the load balancingcontroller may include suitable circuitry and/or software that may beadapted to receive and assess various client information and effectuatean efficient load balancing. Parameters such as signal strength, accesslevel and device type, may be indicative of the information that may beused to effectuate efficient load balancing. Clientassociation/dis-association information may be communicated between theload balancing manager and one or more access points and/or switches.Once the load-balancing manager determines an optimal loadconfiguration, new client and/or access point association informationmay be passed to the various access points in the network usingmessaging protocol messages.

[0087] In another embodiment of the invention, the switch may include aQoS controller that may be configured to utilize the messaging protocolto transfer QoS parameters from an original switch port to a new switchport, in order to facilitate roaming. One or more switches in thenetwork may be adapted to facilitate roaming between various accesspoints located in the same network or between different networks. Thismay affect the QoS handling of, for example, downstream traffic destinedfor the roaming client or access device. In this regard, a switch may beadapted to utilize one or more messaging protocol messages toautomatically transfer various pertinent network management parametersbetween access points and or other switches. This centralized managementmay eliminate a need for a distributed management interface, therebyproviding a more robust communication system

[0088] In another embodiment of the invention, to facilitate roaming, aswitch may be adapted to utilize the messaging protocol to transfer QoSparameters from an old access point to a new access point. This mayaffect upstream traffic from the client to the AP in an HCF environment.In this regard, the switch may utilize one or more messaging protocolmessages to transfer QoS parameters from the old AP to the new AP. Sincethis handling of QoS parameters may be similar to the handling of clienttraffic, the messaging protocol may be used to provide seamless roaming.

[0089] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a switch maybe adapted to utilize the messaging protocol to acquire access pointassociated messages, for example in a “Get AP-Associated Sessions.” FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary exchange sequence between a switch 402 and anaccess point (AP) 404 based on a status request of the access pointusing the message protocol in accordance with an aspect of theinvention. The switch may be a WLAN switch. Referring to FIG. 4, theWLAN switch 402 may request data for at least some of the sessionscurrently associated with the access point 404 using an AP_Stat.reqmessage. The access point 404 may respond with a AP_Stat.data message.Detailed exemplary AP_Stat.req and AP_Stat.data in accordance with anembodiment of the invention are shown below. For illustrative purposes,the session information may be indicated by a “TBD” in the sessionfield. AP_Status.req Transaction_ID: 000123223 Session.AP_ID: AD-1002Session.Status: Associated Session.*: TBD AP_Status.data Transaction_ID:000123223 Session.ID: AD1002-23ECEB141A51-1009 Session.AP_ID: AD-1002Session.Client_MAC: 23.EC.EB.14.1A.51 Session.Status: AssociatedSession.Duration: 2309 Session.Signal: 95 *** Session.ID:AD1204-23AC41921A22-1084 Session.AP_ID: AD-1002 Session.Client_MAC:23.AC.41.92.1A.22 Session.Status: Associated Session.Duration: 589Session.Signal: 92 *** Session.ID: AD2133-55ABACE29A21-1239Session.AP_ID: AD-1002 Session.Client_MAC: 55.AB.AC.E2.9A.21Session.Status: Associated Session.Duration: 1004 Session.Signal: 23 ***

[0090] In this message, the access point reports three associatedsessions back to the switch. Each associated session is separated by thedelimiter “***”. Only relevant fields may be reported. In this regard,the switch may not carry the Switch_ID information and thus it is notincluded in the record. This field may be filled out by the switchitself and included whenever at least a portion of the sessioninformation gets transferred from a first switch to a second switch.

[0091] The switch may further be adapted to utilize the messagingprotocol to facilitate switch filter transfer. FIG. 5 illustrates aswitch filter transfer using the messaging protocol in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. Whenever a wireless client or accessdevice moves from a first access point coverage region or zone to asecond coverage region or zone during a communication session, there isa possibility that the old and new access points may not be connected tothe same WLAN switch. In this case, the switching intelligence may berequired to transfer the communication session from the old WLAN switch504 to the new WLAN switch 502. Accordingly, the messaging protocol mayfacilitate intelligent switching to provide access control and/or QoSmanagement and control.

[0092] During the transfer of a communication session from a first oldswitch 504 to a second new switch 502, switch filter information mayhave to be transferred from the old switch to the new switch. Referringto FIG. 5, the new switch 502 may be adapted to request switch filterinformation or configuration information from the old switch 504 using aSwitch_Config.req. The old switch 504 may respond with aSwitch_Config.data message. In an embodiment of the invention, anexemplary message exchange sequence may be illustrated as follows:Switch_Config.req Transaction_ID: 000123225 Classifier.SA:23.EC.EB.14.1A.51 Classifier.*: TBD Filter.*: TBD

[0093] The new switch 502 may issue a request for upstream filteringinformation of a client device whose MAC address is 23-EC-EB-14-1A-51,for example. The new switch 502 may need at least some or all otherclassification information for this client device as well as anyfiltering action that may be configured for this client. An examplefollows: Switch_Config data Transaction_ID: 000123225 Classifier.SA:23.EC.EB.14.1A.51 Filter.Action: CHANGE_INTERNAL_PRIORITY & CHANGE_DSCPFilter.802_1p: 5 Filter.DSCP: 0xA0

[0094] The old switch 504 may be adapted to respond with the filteringinformation or configuration of the client device. While there may be noother fields to be classified for the client device, the invention isnot so limited. Notwithstanding, the filtering actions may include, butis not limited to:

[0095] changing an internal priority of the packet to 5; and

[0096] changing a DSCP value of the packet to 0XA0.

[0097] Accordingly, this switch filter will be configured in the newswitch 502, and removed from the old switch 504

[0098] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the switch may beadapted to utilize one or more messaging protocol messages to locate anaccess device or client in a WLAN. In this regard, it may be necessaryto discover which one of a plurality of access points a client devicemay be associated with. The whereabouts of a client device may bederived from this discovered access point association. For example, in acase where access points from three (3) different locations are gettingstrong signals from a particular client device, but no other accesspoints receive any signal from that particular client device, then theclient device may be located in a zone where coverage for the three (3)access points overlap. An actual location of the client device maysubsequently be decided by, for example, a server, a switch and/or anaccess point, after receiving various feedback information from at leastone of the three (3) access points. Although the server may be aseparate network entity, it may be coupled to and/or associated with theswitch and/or the access point.

[0099]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary message exchange between a switchand an access point using a messaging protocol in accordance with anaspect of the invention. In general, the switch 602 may initially sendat least one Device_Discovery message to at least some of the accesspoints for example 604, in the IP subnet of 192.168.xx.xx. The server602 may be associated with a switch and/or access point and may beseparate from or integrated therein. Switch 602 may broadcast aDevice_Discovery message from switch 602 to the access points, forexample 604, in the subnet. Responsive to replies associated with theDevice_Discovery message, the switch 602 may send individual AP_Statusrequest messages to each access point, for example 604, located withinthe subnet.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 6, switch 602 may send a Device_Discovery.reqmessage to AP 604. AP 604 may respond with a Device_Discovery.datamessage. Switch 602 may send an AP_Status.req to access point 604.Access point 604 may respond with a AP_Status.data message. Thefollowing illustrates exemplary messaging protocol messages that may beutilized by a switch to discover a client device. Device_Discovery.reqTransaction_ID: 000123293 Target_Device.Type: APTarget_Device.Address_Filter: 192.168.xx.xx Target_Device.Filter_Type:IP Target_Device.Identity: TBD Device_Discovery.data Transaction_ID:000123293 Target_Device.Type: AP Target_Device.Address_Filter:192.168.xx.xx Target_Device.Filter_Type: IP Target_Device.Identity:AD-1002 AP_Status.req Transaction_ID: 000123294 Session.Client_MAC:23.EC.EB.14.1A.51 Session.AP_ID: AD-1002 Session.Status: TBDSession.Signal: TBD AP_Status.data Transaction_ID: 000123294Session.Client_MAC: 23.EC.EB.14.1A.51 Session.AP_ID: AD-1002Session.Status: Associated Session.Signal: 85

[0101] In a case where another client device, for example AD-1082, alsoreceives a strong signal from the client device, but the client deviceis not associated with that access point, the AP_Status.data responsemay have the following value: Transaction_ID: 000123295Session.Client_MAC: 23.EC.EB.14.1A.51 Session.AP_ID: AD-1082Session.Status: Not-associated Session.Signal: 79

[0102] In a case where another access point, for example AD-1203, doesnot get any signal from the client device, the AP_Status.data responsemay have the following value: Transaction_ID: 000123296Session.Client_MAC: 23.EC.EB.14.1A.51 Session.AP_ID: AD-1203Session.Status: Not-associated Session.Signal: 0

[0103] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the switchmay be adapted to utilize the messaging protocol to locate a clientdevice or access device within a Wired LAN. The client device or accessdevice may be, for example an IP telephone. An IP telephone and an IPTelephony Gateway (IPTG) may both be message protocol-enabled. Theswitch may initiate a discovery or locate process by send a request tothe IPTG. In this regard, the IP telephone and the IPTG may exchangemessages whenever a client device is first connected to a wired LAN.When the IP telephone is coupled to the wired LAN, the IP telephone mayfirst acquire an IP address. Subsequently, the IP telephone may beadapted to send a broadcast message to a subnet of the wired LAN inorder to search for the IPTG serving the subnet of the wired LAN.Devices other than the IPTG may ignore the broadcast message. The IPTGmay responds with its own client identification. Subsequently, the IPtelephone may communicate call processing related messages with theIPTG. The call processing information may be communicated to the switch.

[0104]FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an exemplary messageexchange for locating a wired client device using the messaging protocolin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In general, theclient device 702 may first broadcasts a Device_Discovery message to theIP subnet of 192.168.xx.xx, in order to locate the serving IPTG 704.Based on responses associated with the broadcast Device_Discoverymessage, the IPTG 704 may identify itself with its IP address, forexample 192.168.12.22. Referring to FIG. 7, the IP telephone clientdevice 702 may send a Device_Discovery.req to the IPTG 704. The IPTG 704may respond with a Device_Discovery.data message. The following is anexemplary messaging protocol message that may be utilized by the switchto locate a wired client device in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Device_Discovery.req Transaction_ID: 000138293Target_Device.Type: IPTG Target_Device.Address_Filter: 192.168.xx.xxTarget_Device.Filter_Type: IP Target_Device.Identity: TBDDevice_Discovery.data Transaction_ID: 000138293 Target_Device.Type: IPTGTarget_Device.Address_Filter: 192.168.xx.xx Target_Device.Filter_Type:IP Target_Device.Identity: 192.168.12.22

[0105] In a case where it may be necessary to determine an actual orphysical location of an IP phone, any switches located between the IPtelephone and the IPTG may be utilized to determine the actual location.In this regard, a client device discovery process may be adapted to havethe capability to identify, for example an edge switch, which may bedirectly connected to the IP phone. Switch information, and/or wiringplan information, may be used to indicate the actual or physicallocation of a jack in which the IP telephone may be plugged. The switchmay include suitable filtering logic and/or software, which may beadapted to filter at least some or all Device_Discovery messages in amessaging protocol message and record some or all IP address and/orphysical port mappings. The port may be an edge port in a spanning treestate, which may indicate that the IP telephone may not be connected toanother switch. Accordingly, these records may subsequently be sent tothe IPTG where it may be stored. Any future query for the physicallocation of that IP telephone may be answered by searching these recordsand extracting information from the stored records.

[0106]FIG. 8 is a block diagram 800 of an exemplary switching system fornetwork management in a wireless local area network. Referring to FIG.8, there is shown a CPU block 802 and a switching fabric block 804. TheCPU block 802 may include a quality of service (QoS) controller block806, a load balancing controller block 808, a session controller block810 and a network management control block 812. The switching fabricblock 804 may include a filtering engine block 814. The CPU block 802may be adapted to interface with the switching fabric block 804. One ormore of the QoS controller block 806, load balancing controller block808, session controller block 810 and network management control block812 may interface directly with the filtering engine block 814.

[0107] In operation, selected signaling packets may be communicated fromthe switching fabric block 804 to one or more of the QoS controllerblock 806, load balancing controller block 808, session controller block810 and network management control block 812. Messaging protocolmessages may be used to facilitate communication between the switchingfabric block 804 and one or more of the QoS controller block 806, loadbalancing controller block 808, session controller block 810 and networkmanagement control block 812. The selected signaling packets mayinclude, but are not limited to, VoIP packets, and streaming mediapackets including voice, video and data. The filtering engine block 814may be adapted to filter information received from one or more of theQoS controller block 806, load balancing controller block 808, sessioncontroller block 810 and a network management control block 812. In thisregard, the filtering engine block 814 may be adapted to filtermessaging protocol messages used to control switching functions, networktraffic statistics messages, layer two (2) address update messages, andfilter update messages. The filter update messages may include, but isnot limited to, access control messages, QoS messages and load balancingmessages.

[0108] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the switchingsystem for network management may include a session control process thatmay be adapted to manage and control at least one client database andsession information for some or all active clients. The session controlprocess may be configured to enforce access control based on, forexample, a client session, a subnet, a network management application,and switch ports. Access control, for example, may be used to facilitateload balancing in at least a portion of the network. The session controlprocess may also control and manage switching intelligence for roaming.

[0109]FIG. 9 is a block diagram 900 of an exemplary session controlprocess as described in FIG. 8 that may be utilized by the switchingsystem for network management in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a session control process902 having a client database 904, an access control list (ACL) database906, a session control manager 908 and a VoIP enabler 910. One or moreinterfaces may be adapted to provide communication between sessionmanager 908 and the client database 904 and the ACL database 906. Thesession manager 908 may include at least one interface that may beadapted to facilitate communication with the VoIP enabler 910.

[0110] In operation, the session control manager 908 may be adapted toprocess messaging protocol messages, layer two (2) updates, and filterupdates. The session control manager 908 may be adapted to receiveinformation from one or more of client database 904 and ACL database906. The VoIP enabler 910 may be adapted to process VoIP signalingpackets. VoIP enabler 910 may also be adapted to decode variousstandards-based VoIP signaling packets and prioritize filter setup.

[0111] In an embodiment of the invention, the switching system mayinclude a load balancing process that may be adapted to obtain accesspoint load from, for example a network management process. The networkmanagement process may include but is not limited to SNMP, RMON, RMON2,and MIB. The load balancing process may be adapted to keep an accesspoint database on, for example, a plurality or bank of access points.The load balancing process may include necessary intelligence for makingload distribution decisions.

[0112]FIG. 10 is a block diagram 1000 of an exemplary load balancingprocess as described in FIG. 8 that may be utilized by the switchingsystem for network management in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a load balancing process1002 having an access point database 1004 and a load balancing manager1006. At least one interface may be adapted to provide communicationbetween access point database 1004 and the load balancing manager 1006.The load balancing manager 1006 may be adapted to include at least oneinterface that may facilitate communication with a network managementprocess.

[0113] In operation, the load balancing manager 1006 may be adapted toprocess messaging protocol messages, layer two (2) updates, and filterupdates. The load balancing manager 1006 may receive network statisticsfrom a one or more network management processes. Information from theaccess point database 1004 may be utilized by the load balancing manager1006 for making load balancing decisions.

[0114] In an embodiment of the invention, the switching system fornetwork management may include a QoS enabling process that may beadapted to control and manage activities such as, traffic policing,metering filters, and protocol configurations. In this regard, the QoSenabling process may be adapted to manage, for example, 8012.11e basedconfigurations that may be sent to the access point. A VoIP enabler maybe adapted to decode various standard-based VoIP signaling packets andprioritize filter setup.

[0115]FIG. 11 is a block diagram 1100 of an exemplary QoS enablingprocess as described in FIG. 8 that may be utilized by an the switchingsystem for network management in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown QoS enabling process1102 having QoS policy database 1104, a QoS manager 1106 and a VoIPenabler 1108. At least one interface may be adapted to providecommunication between QoS policy database 1104 and the QoS manager 1106.The QoS manager 1106 may be adapted to include at least one interfacethat may facilitate communication with, for example, the VoIP enabler1108.

[0116] In operation, the QoS manager 1106 may be adapted to process, forexample, messaging protocol messages, and filter updates. The QoSmanager 1106 may send and receive VoIP signaling information to and fromVoIP enabler 1108. Information from the QoS policy database 1104 may beutilized by the QoS manager 1106 for making QoS decisions.

[0117]FIG. 12 is a block diagram 1200 of an exemplary switch 1202 inaccordance with an aspect of the invention. Referring to FIG. 12, thereis shown a processor 1210, transmitter 1204, receiver 1206, generator1208 and controller 1212. The controller 1212 may include QoS controller1214, load balancing controller 1216, session controller 1218 andnetwork management controller 1220. The transmitter 1204, receiver 1206,generator 1208 and the components of the controller 1212, namely QoScontroller 1214, load balancing controller 1216, session controller 1218and network management controller 1220, may be variously coupled toprocessor 1210. The components of switch 1202 may include suitablecircuitry and/or software capable of implementing the various functions.Notwithstanding, it should be readily be understood by one skilled inthe art that although the components of the switch are individuallyshown, the invention is not limited in this regard. For example, withsuitable software and/or logic, the generator function 1208 may beimplemented solely by the processor 1210.

[0118] The transmitter 1204 may be adapted to send a first messagingprotocol message between a first switch and a first access point. Thereceiver 1206 may be adapted to receive a second messaging protocolmessage from the first access point and the first switch. In response tothe transmittal of the first messaging protocol message, a secondmessaging protocol message may be received. The controller 1212 may beadapted to control one or more devices using the first messagingprotocol message, second messaging protocol message and/or thirdmessaging protocol message. These devices may include but are notlimited to the first switch, a second switch, the first access point,the second access point, and one or more access devices.

[0119] The generator 1208 may be adapted to generate the first messagingprotocol message by the first switch. The receiver 1206 may be adaptedto receive the second messaging protocol message from a second switch.The processor 1210 may be adapted to control the transmitter 1204, thereceiver 1206, the controller 1212 and the generator 1208. The processor1210 may utilize one or more messaging protocol messages to controltransmitter 1204, receiver 1206, generator 1208, QoS controller 1214,load balancing controller 1216, session controller 1218 and networkmanagement controller 1220.

[0120] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, dependenton the modulation scheme utilized, one or more of the PLCP framesillustrated in FIG. 1b, FIG. 1c, FIG. 1d and FIG. 1e may be adapted tocontain information which may be utilized for providing communication inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. Additionally, thePLCP frames may be adapted to convey information for any one or more ofthe 801.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g modes of operation utilized by accesspoints and/or access devices in accordance the embodiments of theinvention.

[0121] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computersystem, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spreadacross several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computersystem or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods describedherein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may bea general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that itcarries out the methods described herein.

[0122] The present invention also may be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

[0123] Notwithstanding, the invention and its inventive arrangementsdisclosed herein may be embodied in other forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, referenceshould be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoingspecification, as indicating the scope of the invention. In this regard,the description above is intended by way of example only and is notintended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forthin the following claims.

[0124] While the present invention has been described with reference tocertain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition,many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation ormaterial to the teachings of the present invention without departingfrom its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention notbe limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the presentinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A method for providing communication in a hybrid wired/wireless localarea network, the method comprising: sending a first messaging protocolmessage between a first switch and a first access point; responsive tosaid first messaging protocol message, receiving at least a secondmessaging protocol message from at least one said first access point andsaid first switch; and controlling at least one of said first switch, asecond switch, said first access point, said second access point, and atleast one of a plurality of access devices using at least one of saidfirst messaging protocol message, said second messaging protocol messageand a third messaging protocol message.
 2. The method according to claim1, further comprising generating said first messaging protocol messageby said first switch.
 3. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising receiving said second messaging protocol message from saidsecond switch in response to said generating of said first messagingprotocol message.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of said first and said third messaging protocol messages is anaccess point status message communicated between said first switch andone of said first access point, said second access point and said secondswitch.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of saidfirst and said third messaging protocol messages is at least one accesspoint configuration message communicated from at least one of said firstswitch and said second switch, to at least one of said first accesspoint and said second access point.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein at least one of said first and said third messaging protocolmessages is at least one switch status message communicated between saidfirst switch and said second switch.
 7. The method according to claim 1,wherein at least one of said first and said third messaging protocolmessages is at least one switch configuration message communicatedbetween said first switch and said second switch.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and said thirdmessaging protocol messages is at least one client status messagecommunicated from at least one of said first access point and saidsecond access point, to at least one of said first switch and saidsecond switch.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least oneof said first and said third messaging protocol messages is at least adevice discovery message communicated between said first switch and saidsecond switch, between said first switch and at least one of said firstaccess point and said second access point, and between said first accesspoint and at least one of said second access point and said at least oneof said plurality of access devices.
 10. The method according to claim9, wherein at least one of said first and said third messaging protocolmessages is at least one switch status message communicated between saidfirst switch and said second switch.
 11. A machine-readable storage,having stored thereon a computer program having at least one codesection for providing an intelligent switch in a hybrid wired/wirelesslocal area network, the at least one code section executable by amachine for causing the machine to perform the steps comprising: sendinga first messaging protocol message between a first switch and a firstaccess point; responsive to said first messaging protocol message,receiving at least a second messaging protocol message from at least oneof said first access point and said first switch; and controlling atleast one of said first switch, a second switch, said first accesspoint, said second access point, and at least one of a plurality ofaccess devices using at least one of said first messaging protocolmessage, said second messaging protocol message and a third messagingprotocol message.
 12. The machine-readable storage according to claim11, further comprising code for generating said first messaging protocolmessage by said first switch.
 13. The machine-readable storage accordingto claim 12, further comprising code for receiving said second messagingprotocol message from said second switch in response to said generatingof said first messaging protocol message.
 14. The machine-readablestorage according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said first andsaid third messaging protocol messages is an access point status messagecommunicated between said first switch and one of said first accesspoint, said second access point and said second switch.
 15. Themachine-readable storage according to claim 11, wherein at least one ofsaid first and said third messaging protocol messages is at least oneaccess point configuration message communicated from at least one ofsaid first switch and said second switch, to at least one of said firstaccess point and said second access point.
 16. The machine-readablestorage according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said first andsaid third messaging protocol messages is at least one switch statusmessage communicated between said first switch and said second switch.17. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, wherein at leastone of said first and said third messaging protocol messages is at leastone switch configuration message communicated between said first switchand said second switch.
 18. The machine-readable storage according toclaim 11, wherein at least one of said first and said third messagingprotocol messages is at least one client status message communicatedfrom at least one of said first access point and said second accesspoint, to at least one of said first switch and said second switch. 19.The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, wherein at least oneof said first and said third messaging protocol messages is at least adevice discovery message communicated between said first switch and saidsecond switch, between said first switch and at least one of said firstaccess point and said second access point, and between said first accesspoint and at least one of said second access point and said at least oneof said plurality of access devices.
 20. The machine-readable storageaccording to claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and said thirdmessaging protocol messages is at least one switch status messagecommunicated between said first switch and said second switch.
 21. Asystem for providing communication in a hybrid wired/wireless local areanetwork, the system comprising: a transmitter adapted to send a firstmessaging protocol message between a first switch and a first accesspoint; a receiver adapted to receive a second messaging protocol messagefrom at least one of said first access point and said first switch inresponse to said first messaging protocol message; and a controlleradapted to control at least one of said first switch, a second switch,said first access point, said second access point, and at least one of aplurality of access devices using at least one of said first messagingprotocol message, said second messaging protocol message and a thirdmessaging protocol message.
 22. The system according to claim 21,further comprising at least one generator adapted to generate said firstmessaging protocol message by said first switch.
 23. The systemaccording to claim 22, wherein said receiver is adapted to receive saidsecond messaging protocol message from a second switch in response tosaid generating of said first messaging protocol message.
 24. The systemaccording to claim 23, further comprising at least one processor adaptedto control said transmitter, said receiver, said controller and said atleast one generator.
 25. The system according to claim 21, wherein saidcontroller comprises: a QoS controller coupled to said at least oneprocessor; a load balancing controller coupled to said at least oneprocessor; a session controller coupled to said at least one processor;and a network management controller coupled to said at least oneprocessor.
 26. The system according to claim 21, wherein at least one ofsaid first and said third messaging protocol messages is an access pointstatus message communicated between said first switch and one of saidfirst access point, said second access point and said second switch. 27.The system according to claim 21, wherein at least one of said first andsaid third messaging protocol messages is at least one access pointconfiguration message communicated from at least one of said firstswitch and said second switch, to at least one of said first accesspoint and said second access point.
 28. The system according to claim21, wherein at least one of said first and said third messaging protocolmessages is at least one switch status message communicated between saidfirst switch and said second switch.
 29. The system according to claim21, wherein at least one of said first and said third messaging protocolmessages is at least one switch configuration message communicatedbetween said first switch and said second switch.
 30. The systemaccording to claim 21, wherein at least one of said first and said thirdmessaging protocol messages is at least one client status messagecommunicated from at least one of said first access point and saidsecond access point, to at least one of said first switch and saidsecond switch.
 31. The system according to claim 21, wherein at leastone of said first and said third messaging protocol messages is at leasta device discovery message communicated between said first switch andsaid second switch, between said first switch and at least one of saidfirst access point and said second access point, and between said firstaccess point and at least one of said second access point and said atleast one of said plurality of access devices.
 32. The system accordingto claim 31, wherein at least one of said first and said third messagingprotocol messages is at least one switch status message communicatedbetween said first switch and said second switch.